The SUN HK : US imposes travel restriction on HK as Covid tally shoots to 29k

31 December 2022

By The SUN

From Jan 5, all passengers flying to the US from HK should show a negative test result for Covid

Hong Kong reported 29,207 new Covid-19 infections Saturday, including 424 imported cases.

Another 52 related deaths have been reported.

There are now 5,151 Covid patients in public hospitals and among them, 197 are listed in critical condition and 191 are seriously ill.

The new surge in cases came as the United States imposed Covid-19 testing for all arrivals from China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

From January 5, all arrivals aged five and above from the three places will have to show a negative Covid-19 test result before being allowed to board their flights.

The test should have been carried out no more than two days before the passengers’ departure, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Arrivals can either undergo a PCR test, or a rapid antigen test administered and monitored by a telehealth service or a licensed provider, for which a written proof is needed.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The US joined Japan, Italy, Malaysia and India in imposing restrictions on arrivals from China. Even the Philippines has hinted it may require negative testing for all arrivals from China, but said whatever decision is made will be based on science.

However, the US is the only country so far to specifically include Hong Kong and Macau in the entry restrictions.

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The decision to single out China for the mandatory pre-boarding tests was made after the world’s most populous country eased its pandemic restrictions, leading to a surge in coronavirus infections.

Media reports say China is experiencing an unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums. But no official data has been made available after health officials stopped releasing an official daily Covid death toll last week.